Forrest Rockets Wrestling opens season

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Photo by Anthony Puca
Jonathan Wilkerson of Forrest readying to pin his opponent.

by Anthony S. Puca

Staff Writer

The Forrest Rocket wrestling team opened up the season against the Franklin Road Panthers. The young Rocket team has only five returning starters from the varsity squad last year and it was evident that they were overmatched by a seasoned FRA squad as they were defeated 66-18. The FRA wrestling team was the Division I A-AA Dual State Champion runner-up to Notre Dame last year. FRA also finished 20th in the State Individual Tournament, while Forrest had a 30th place finish.

The strength for the Forrest team lies in the 152 weight class where 2005 State Champion runner-up Morgan Abrigo resides. Abrigo has had a solid pre-season and started off the new campaign with a pin, 17.1 seconds into the second round of his match. Abrigo was already leading 13-2 when he gave his opponent a "Leg Truth" hold to finish him off. Abrigo said later, "I went out ready to prove myself. I have been practicing twice a day." Abrigo said he practices with the team every school day from 5:30 am to 7:00 and then from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon.

Another bright spot for the Forrest squad was in the 112 weight class where Jonathan Wilkerson dominated his opponent and eventually pinned him at the 1:38 mark of the third period. Michael Appleby and Dakota Beasley also won their matches by default in the 130 and 145 weight classes respectively when their opponents were injured. Julian Burton completely out muscled and pinned his opponent in an exhibition match that bodes well for his season.

First year Forrest Head Coach Jason Spitzley was proud of his squad after the meet and said, "I am proud of our successes tonight, we are a young team, but this is a good starting point. We need some improvement by learning more moves".